2026 Business Summit

Description

2026 Business Summit

For more than 45 years, Small Business Week has celebrated the entrepreneurs and businesses that contribute to strong local economies and vibrant communities.

In recognition of Small Business Week, the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 2026 Business Summit, taking place October 22 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Conference Centre Kingston Central.

This engaging business conference brings together Kingston’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and innovators for an afternoon of learning, meaningful conversations, and new connections.

This year’s program will explore some of the issues and opportunities shaping today’s business environment, including Kingston’s growth and development, company culture, emotional intelligence, employment law, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and innovation.

Participants can look forward to expert-led presentations, practical business insights, networking opportunities, and conversations designed to provide new perspectives that can be applied within their organizations.

Agenda

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. | Registration and Networking

1:00 – 1:10 p.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Karen Cross | Chief Executive Officer, Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce

1:10 – 1:35 p.m. | City Update

• Paige Agnew | Commissioner, Growth & Development, City of Kingston
• Hear an update on Kingston’s growth and development and gain insight into the projects, priorities, and opportunities helping shape the future of our city.

1:35 – 2:05 p.m. | Company Culture

• Gleen Bostock | Author of A Human Business | Founder & CEO, SnapCab
• Explore the role company culture plays in building strong organizations and creating workplaces where people and businesses can thrive.

2:05 – 2:35 p.m. | Emotional Intelligence

• Jade Bodzasy | Senior Emotional Intelligence Facilitator | REBT Mindset Life Coach | Professional Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Consulting Inc.
• Discover how emotional intelligence can strengthen leadership, communication, workplace relationships, and organizational effectiveness.

2:35 – 3:15 p.m. | Employment Law

• Cunningham Swan
• Gain practical insights into employment law and key considerations businesses and employers should understand as they navigate today's workplace.

3:15 – 3:40 p.m. | Break

3:40 – 4:25 p.m. | Innovation through AI and Cybersecurity

• Andy Larin | Founder & CEO, allCare IT & Frank Zuuring | Founder, Order of Work
• Explore how artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies are changing the way organizations operate, manage risk and identify new opportunities for innovation. Participants will leave the session with clear, practical takeaways and actionable ideas they can apply within their own organizations to strengthen operations, better manage risk and confidently explore opportunities to put emerging technologies to work.

4:25 – 4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks

• Karen Cross | Chief Executive Officer, Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce

Great News: Booth Opportunities. Only 10 booths (5 available) to promote your business at the event!!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Many thanks to our Title Sponsor, IG Wealth Management; Partner Sponsor, KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services; Supporting Sponsors, PPF Benefits and Retirement Inc., Payworks, and Allegra Marketing Print Mail; and Connect Sponsor, WFCU, for their support of the 2026 Business Summit.

Join us on October 22 to gain new insights, strengthen business connections, and explore the ideas shaping the future of business in Kingston.

Be sure to use your email connected to your Chamber membership to receive member-discounted pricing. Cancellations must be received two weeks prior to the scheduled event for a full refund. Lastly, please reach out to info@kingstonchamber.ca if you have any allergy/dietary restrictions or problems accessing the discounted pricing. 

Exhibitors at the 2026 Business Summit:

• COSTCO Wholesale
• Norm's Golf & Social
• City of Kingston
• Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Water's Edge

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When you enter a Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce (“GKCC”) event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording and streaming may occur.

By entering the event premises, you consent to being interviewed, photographed, audio recorded, video recorded and streamed at the event. You grant to the GKCC, its representatives and any GKCC designated person or entity the right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast, distribute and create derivative works of these images and recordings in any media now known or later developed, including but not limited to print, broadcast, electronic, digital and social media. These may be used for promoting and publicizing the event or other GKCC events and the work the GKCC does, and for any other purpose deemed fit by the GKCC, its affiliates and representatives. You release the GKCC, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the aforementioned activities.

By entering the event premises, you waive all rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, distribution, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication and irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the GKCC or a GKCC designated person or entity.

You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please get in touch with us on info@kingstonchamber.ca seven (7) business days prior to the event and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that if you're scheduled to be a speaker, moderator, host, or the chief guest for any event, adjustments may be challenging to accommodate.